After five years of selfless and steadfast service to God and humanity through the instrumentality of the office of the Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University(OAU) Ile-Ife, Prof. Eyitope Ogungbenro Ogunbodede, in a couple of days will take a bow out of office with his head held high
The 11th Vice Chancellor who has successfully completed his five-year single tenure will be succeeded by Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire of Agricultural Economics department as the 12th Chief Executive office of the institution.
As one of the contractors who regularly bid and get contracts in Obafemi Awolowo University, I have deliberately waited for this hour before sharing my experience during the tenure of Prof. Ogunbodede. This is because I don’t want some people to read unnecessary meanings to my position. Before Prof. Ogunbodede, I had, like many other contractors, interacted with many Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities in the course of bidding for contracts all over Nigeria. Prof. Ogunbodede is one of the few incorruptible chief executives who will never ask any contractor to give him kickbacks or bribes. I challenge any contractor to controvert my assertion.
Ask many people to define Nigeria, you will be shocked by the litany of negative definitions you will get. It is not impossible for some people to describe Nigeria as a country of exploitation, manipulation and appalling hydra-headed corruption. This definition may not be unconnected with the activities of some people who are ready to drain from those dying of dearth without giving a hoot.
Nigeria’s ivory tower is in crisis today, wrecked by under-funding, poor quality of infrastructure, partly as a result of the activities of some greedy and gluttonous who have wrecked hellish havoc. A society discovers its essence in its leaders. Many people have argued that Nigeria’s greatest problems are poor leadership and corruption.
However, when we see a good leader, who displays sterling qualities without getting involved in corruption, it behooves us to celebrate such a leader. This is the essence of this piece. Although I didn’t get many contracts during the tenure of Prof. Ogunbodede, my interaction with him, as well as the testimonies from other contractors, clearly marks him out as a leader whose moral authority comes from following universal and timeless principles like honesty, integrity and truth.
Indeed, one of the most prized possessions of the Professor of Dentistry is integrity, and he led OAU for five years without compromising it. Prof Ogunbodede really won my heart and that of others with the way he related to contractors with absolute transparency .
Once you won a bid, his major concern was go and do your job and ensure you do a quality job. He will never ask you for any gratification either directly or through proxy. Integrity, honesty and truth are the highest vibrating energies that guided his tenure. To him, the foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty. He could be gay and gregarious, but he is also tough-minded, strong-willed and self-possessed.
Clearly, Prof. Ogunbodede is a beacon and blistering light in usually impossible tunnels, whose temper constitutes the template for enviable conducts. Everyone appreciates his energy and purity of purpose as he, as well, radiates so much zest in fellowship and personal service.
To me, Prof. Ogunmodede is an epitome of what Yoruba call “Omoluabi”. The Omoluabi is a philosophical and cultural concept that is native to the Yoruba people, used to describe a person of good character. The Omoluabi concept signifies courage, truth, honesty, integrity, hard work, humility and respect. All these and more were the values Prof. Ogunmodede brought to bear during his tenure in OAU.
It never ceases to amaze me how an individual could be so focused, consistent and irrevocably committed to the development of the University as the outgoing VC did. His huge intellectual savvy, uncompromising sense of justice, uncommon courage and steely grit in defence of rule of law and justice are amazing.
Clearly, Nigeria needs men and women of courage, character and capacity in leadership positions. Prof. Ogunmodede is certainly one of the fine materials available for the political class to consider for appointment in this coming dispensation. For all he did in Ife without soiling his hands, this great man of intellect still has a lot to offer Nigeria. In Ife, he has charted a future rich in promise and possibilities. As a visible testimony to the sagaciousness of his leadership skills, we appreciate the rapid and unprecedented physical, spiritual and academic growth of OAU. We salute the dexterity of his doggedness. An active life must be nourished by activities.
Those in leadership positions should know that every action of our lives touches some chord that will vibrate in eternity. What Prof. Ogunmodede did yesterday as OAU VC is what we are talking about today. Those who are privileged to lead must leave enviable legacies. As Bob Marley will say “the greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively”
Nigeria is a blessed country. We are greatly endowed but poorly managed. We have no reason to be poor. In order to convert our endowments to greatness, therefore, the like of Prof. Ogunmodede should be fished out and given opportunities to serve. He is a perfect-picture of geniality and civility. He is sired in the true tenets of African virtues and values. As a true leader, he is not swayed by extraneous emotionalism and parochial cant.
Prof. Ogunbodede was born 23 January 1957. He attended Owo High School where he obtained the West African School Certificate in 1976. He then proceeded to Obafemi Awolowo University where he received a BSc in Health Sciences and a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BchD) in 1981 and 1985 respectively. He also has a Masters in Public Health degree from the University of Lagos (1989) and was a Commonwealth Medical Fellow at University College London between 1991 and 1993
May God select good leaders for Nigeria as we transit to a fresh regime in 2023.
-
Ibrahim Sule wrote in from Abuja, e-mail: Ibrahimsule@gmail.com